We have checked topic-related literature and have designed the possible synthetic route for photoswitchable azobenzenes. We have already synthesized two different azobenzenes with optimized conditions and overcome the difficulties in their purification. Furthermore, the synthesized azobenzenes could be triggered by UV and NIR light and present low rate of thermally induced relaxation. We have established a process for the surface functionalization of glass slides with azobenzene compound and the photo-isomerization process was successfully characterized. Furthermore, cell adhesion was observed on the azobenzene-functionalized surface in the preliminary experiments and also single-cell force microscopy experiments are promising, confirming a switching of cell adhesion by the novel materials generated. Furthermore, we have advanced the single-cell force microscopy setup by including novel algorithms and also by establishing a novel method for characterising the impact of cell contact area in relation to measured forces by using microstructures. This will significantly improve the reliability of the measurements in this project. We have also explored already several methods to measure cellular forces (see JoVE paper), thus having major input for the characterisation of cellular forces. In addition, as we finally want to establish photoswitchable 3D printed materials, we have set up a 3D laser printing system and have already managed to print and characterise the printed structures. We have also designed the optical setup and can now proceed with ordering all devices. This work has been strongly delayed (see risks part), as the postdoc who I wanted to hire for 1.1.22 could not leave China for a long time and neither got a visa during that time, as the German embassies there were closed.
The activities we have carried out furthermore were participations in a project retreat (Dec 13-14, 2021), organising conference (MSEB in Heidelberg, 19-21, Oct, 2022; Mechannobiology in Evolution, July 4-6, 2022) and also participating in the Girls days reguarly (2021, 2022). The group members also participated in conferences. We are also actively including students into the project.